After just finishing my first semester of law school, my thoughts are turning to summer internships. I’ve quickly learned that landing a good internship often isn’t based solely on what you know, but who you know.

So how can law students network? Many students think that the only way to network is to attend state bar meetings or other functions where practicing attorneys will be at. Right now, I don’t have the time (or sometimes the money) to attend these types of things. However, I think my best resource for networking is the people sitting next to me in class. That’s right. Other law students are a great networking resource.

How can this be? They’re not even practicing yet? How can they get me a job? They don’t have to be practicing law to be able to get you a job. They just have to know people who can. Many law students have family members who already practice law, so perhaps they can connect you with an uncle who needs an intern for the summer. 2L’s and 3L’s are excellent resources for networking. They’ve already interned for different firms during their law school career, so perhaps they can introduce you to a former employer.

To be honest, I was kind of a lone wolf my first semester of law school. I don’t like studying in groups. Because I’m married, I don’t go out to the bars every weekend with all the single students. Consequently, I didn’t get to know many law students.

Here’s a list to of five things law students can do to network with other law students:

Join a club

Introduce yourself to a new fellow classmate everyday

Study in groups

Don’t be a pompous jerk. Every section has this person. Don’t be them.

Attend a few social functions with fellow law students

Use Facebook. I’m not a big Facebook fan, but if used correctly, it can be a powerful networking tool with your fellow law students

I plan on implementing these ideas into my networking plan next semester. I’m sure there are other ways law students can network with each other. Drop me a line and let me know what you think.

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The Frugal Law Student is for anyone trying to mitigate their crippling debt. Me? I'm trying to mitigate the tens of thousands of dollars I've taken on in student loans. Join me on my quest to avoid taking on more debt, paying off some of the debt I have, and trying to survive law school while doing it. Read more about The Frugal Law Student, check out some of the best articles, or become a subscriber via RSS feed or via email